Nevada County picayune., 1887-04-06
THE MYSTERIOUS LEGACY.

f tain-not a mere claimant of the title, like the water men of the lakes and the coast shippers who never got out of sight of land, and who, if they got there could never get back-bnt il genuine "old salt," trained from boyhood under tar. paulin hat, and as familiar with the "paths of the sea" as a shep- herd is with those of q sheep walk Spending his life on extended voy. ages, he was seldom at home long enough at a time for the salt spray tu dry on his weather beaten checks; and there was hardly a port on the habitable globe in which he could not shake hands with an oldacqnaintance, civilized or savage.
 Of course his history WAS crowd. ed with curious incidents. Most of these, at which my childish ear twingei and my eyes dilated, have become so faded in my memory as to Ge incapable of tolerable nar- ration. The following, however, made more lasting impression:
 During the calm between the old French war and the American revolution large ship was lying at a wharf in the town of New York, loaded with valuable cargo and ready to sail for Liverpool, and thence to whatever part of the globe the chances of commerce would dictate.
 This was my graudfather's shlp, only waiting for her papers and d far wind. The papers were soon ready and shortly after them came a breeze. Presently everything OH board was in active motion-the casting off and coiling of ropes, the nniurling of canvass and the running mp of sailor boys along the ratlines like spiders on thelr webs, while the sharp, imperative orders of the mate and the hearty Eye. hoy-ye" of the cheerful crew echoed over the ripplins waters ot the I,arbor. which looked in the rays of the setting sun as if il was covered with a cream of liquid gold.
 Just before the last plank was hauled in a stranger stepped hur- ried on board and inquired for the Captains stateroom. Beng con ducted thither he entered, aud, with slight bow, accosted the Captain who sat writing at his desk.
 You are for Liverpool, l be- lieve, sirW
 "Yes, sir.'
 "I am in poor health, and, in. tending to spend the winter in Italy, wish to get passage in the first ship that sails for Europe. Will you take passengerT
 "Yes, sir, if my accommodations will suit you!"
 "No matter about accOmmOda- ti0ns, Captain, am an old sailor, and know how to accommodate myself. Besides, the trim of your ship suits my eye,'
 The alIusiOn to his ill health at tracted my graadtather's scrutiny, and the introduction of himself as an old sailor touched his heart. On noticing him more particularly he was struck with an undetnable feeling of curiosity and sympathy at his appearance. Tall, straight and rather slender, he was dressed in fine black broadcloth, with Il sort of Spanish cloak of the same color and quality, A two'edged sword, common shipboard at that time, and improperly called a cnt- lass, was partly covered by his cloak, and hung by his side with out a sheath. His hair Was quite gray, and his manly features would have been handsome had they not been so emaciated as to give m. pleasant prominence to a half doz. en deep scars on his face. His eyes were blue and full oi eXpres- sion, but restless at times, show ing a sudden abstraction. The looseness of one of his black gloves gave evidence that he had lost a finger or two from his lett hand. These observations were made by the captain while the stranger was looking at a beautiful seXtant on the table. Turning, as if startled at his forgetfulnes-,